Chhattisgarh has reported sharp dip in leprosy and the disease has been restricted to 2.37 percent in every 10,000 persons which at foundation of state in year 2000 was 8.2 percent, State Health and Family Welfare Department officials said on Saturday.
The successful implementation of National leprosy Mission and use of MDT treatment since the formation of state has yielded these results, they said.
At the formation of the State, leprosy prevalence was at 8.2 percent over every 10,000 persons living in the state which now has beenbrought down to 2.37 percent, officials claimed.
Detailing about MDT health department officials informed that the patient opting MDT is completely cured in 6 months to 1 year. The State has been distributing MDT drug free of cost through all government hospitals starting from state level till sub health centers in districts.
From 2005-06 till current year over 78,000 patients have been treated through MDT, officers said. They further informed that presently 6,306 patients are being treated through MDT in different part of state. Health department has engaged ‘Mitanins’ in every village and city for leprosy eradication work.
‘Mintanins’ have been asked to identify leprosy patients and bring them to nearby government hospital. Each Mitanin is provided with encouragement amount of Rs250 on detection of leprosy, Rs400 after completion of 6 month treatment time and Rs 600 at the end of 1 year, officers informed.
According to health dept officials, the physical deformation caused due to leprosy are also being cured through operations and so far 134 such operations have been performed.